Graphical user interface including zoom control box representing image and magnification of displayed image

ABSTRACT

A graphical user interface (GUI) graphically corresponds to an image display window through which a single image or a stream of images or video frames are displayed. The GUI includes a zoom control box having an inner region positioned within an outer region. The size of the inner region relative to the outer region represents the magnification of the portion of the image being displayed within the image display window. The magnification of the image being displayed is increased by using a cursor control device to position a cursor within the inner region and clicking the cursor control device. The magnification of the image being displayed is decreased by using the cursor control device to position the cursor outside of the inner region but inside of the outer region and clicking the cursor control device. As the magnification is increased or decreased, the size of the inner region relative to the outer region is changed accordingly. A magnification factor is also displayed within the inner region to display a numeric representation of the current magnification. The position of the inner region within the outer region represents the portion of the entire image being displayed within the image display window. The portion of the image being displayed within the image display window is changed by clicking and dragging the inner region to the desired position within the outer region using the cursor control device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computers and imagedisplay devices having graphically-oriented user interfaces. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to the field of computersand image display devices having graphically-oriented user interfacesthrough which the display of an image is graphically controlled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Image display devices are used to display both still images andmoving video images, which are generated by or stored locally within theimage display device or received from an external source device. A stillor video frame image will herein be referred to collectively as animage. Typically, the image display device displays the image or seriesof images within an image display window, which takes up either all or aportion of the display area of the image display device. An imagedisplay device can include one or more image display windows in whichimages are displayed.

[0003] Image display devices include both televisions and personalcomputer (PC) monitors. Existing televisions and PC monitors are verydifferent. Televisions generally have a medium display resolutioncapability and several analog interfaces for receiving input signals,such as a composite video interface, an s-video interface and a radiofrequency interface for radio frequency signals received over coaxialcable. Although, televisions are advancing in their ability to displayincreasingly higher resolutions of video and graphic data, consumervideo resolution has changed little over time. While the picture tube ofPC monitors is based on consumer television technology, PC monitors ordisplays have very different resolution requirements than consumertelevisions, due to the need for PC monitors to have the ability todisplay legible small text and fine lines for detailed work. To meetthis need, PC monitors have a higher resolution than consumertelevisions and very different high bandwidth interfaces, such as VideoGraphics Array (VGA), Super VGA (SVGA) and RGB.

[0004] In most modern computer systems an operating system provides agraphical interface for the computer user. The user can run applicationprograms, manipulate files, and perform most other necessary functionsthrough this graphical interface by manipulating images on thecomputer's display. This manipulation is accomplished by using cursorcontrol keys and other keyboard keys or by using a cursor controllingperipheral device such as a joystick, mouse or trackball.

[0005] A schematic block diagram of a typical configuration including anexternal image source 10 and a host computer system 20 is illustrated inFIG. 1. The external image source 10 is coupled to an interface port 28of the computer system 20 by a bus or cable for transmitting image orvideo data to the computer system 20 for display. The host computersystem 20, illustrated in FIG. 1, is exemplary only and includes acentral processor unit (CPU) 42, a main memory 30, a video graphicsadapter (VGA) card 22, a mass storage device 32 and an interface circuit28, all coupled together by a conventional bidirectional system bus 34.The mass storage device 32 may include both fixed and removable mediausing any one or more of magnetic, optical or magneto-optical storagetechnology or any other available mass storage technology. The systembus 34 contains an address bus for addressing any portion of the memory30. The system bus 34 also includes a data bus for transferring databetween and among the CPU 42, the main memory 30, the VGA card 22, themass storage device 32 and the interface circuit 28.

[0006] The host computer system 20 is also coupled to a number ofperipheral input and output devices including the keyboard 38, the mouse40 and the associated display 36. The keyboard 38 is coupled to the CPU42 for allowing a user to input data and control commands into thecomputer system 20. A conventional mouse 40 is coupled to the keyboard38 for manipulating graphic images on the display 36 as a cursor controldevice. Alternatively, as is known in the art, the mouse 40 is coupledto the computer system 20 through a serial port.

[0007] The VGA card 22 interfaces between the components within thecomputer system 20 and the display 36. The VGA card 22 converts datareceived from the components within the computer system 20 into signalswhich are used by the display 36 to generate images for display in oneor more image display windows.

[0008] To control the display of a single image or a stream of images,such as a video stream, on an image display device, such as the display36, a user typically has to manually change control parameters of theimage display device or particular image display window, such asresolution or magnification, either on the display device 36, or withinthe application program providing the image to be displayed or operatingthe image display window. Another conventional method of changingparameters such as resolution or magnification is to use zoom controlfeatures to zoom in or zoom out on the image itself. However, when usingsuch zoom control features, and the image is magnified to be bigger thanthe display window, the user then also has to use separate positionalcontrols on the edge of the display window to display different portionsof the image. There is currently a lack of image display devices whichallow easy control of display parameters such as zoom and magnificationto control the display of an image within an image display window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A graphical user interface (GUI) graphically corresponds to animage display window through which a single image or a stream of imagesor video frames are displayed. The GUI includes a zoom control boxhaving an inner rectangle region positioned within an outer rectangleregion. The size of the inner rectangle region relative to the outerrectangle region represents the magnification of the portion of theimage being displayed within the image display window. The magnificationof the image being displayed is increased by using a cursor controldevice to position a cursor within the inner rectangle region andclicking the cursor control device. The magnification of the image beingdisplayed is decreased by using the cursor control device to positionthe cursor outside of the inner rectangle region but inside of the outerrectangle region and clicking the cursor control device. As themagnification is increased or decreased, the size of the inner rectangleregion relative to the outer rectangle region is changed accordingly. Amagnification factor is also displayed within the inner rectangle regionto display a numeric representation of the current magnification. Theposition of the inner rectangle region within the outer rectangle regionrepresents the portion of the entire image being displayed within theimage display window. The portion of the image being displayed withinthe image display window is changed by clicking and dragging the innerrectangle to the desired position within the outer rectangle regionusing the cursor control device.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a graphical userinterface for controlling magnification of and portion of an originalimage displayed within an image display window includes an outer regionrepresenting the original image and an inner region positioned withinthe outer region, wherein a size of the inner region relative to theouter region represents the magnification of the original image beingdisplayed within the image display window. A position of the innerregion within the outer region represents the portion of the originalimage being displayed within the image display window. The size andposition of the inner region relative to the outer region is changed inresponse to input commands. The size of the inner region is decreasedwhen an input command is entered selecting the inner region. The size ofthe inner region is increased when an input command is entered selectingthe outer region. The graphical user interface is preferably displayedon a computer system having a display, a memory and an input device. Theinput commands are entered using the input device and the inner andouter regions arc selected by positioning a cursor within an appropriateregion and clicking the input device. The input device is preferably amouse. The graphical user interface further includes a magnificationfactor displayed within the inner region which numerically representsthe magnification of the original image being displayed within the imagedisplay window.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, a graphical userinterface for controlling magnification of and portion of an originalimage displayed within an image display window includes an outer regionrepresenting the original image and an inner region positioned withinthe outer region, wherein a position of the inner region within theouter region represents the portion of the original image beingdisplayed within the image display window. A size of the inner regionrelative to the outer region represents the magnification of theoriginal image being displayed within the image display window. Thegraphical user interface further comprises a magnification factordisplayed within the inner region which numerically represents themagnification of the original image being displayed within the imagedisplay window.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method ofcontrolling magnification of and portion of an original image displayedwithin an image display window includes the steps of displaying a zoomcontrol box including an inner region positioned within an outer region,wherein a size of the inner region relative to the outer regionrepresents the magnification of the original image being displayedwithin the image display window and further wherein a position of theinner region within the outer region represents the portion of theoriginal image being displayed within the image display window andchanging the size and position of the inner region in response to inputcommands. The size of the inner region is decreased when an inputcommand is entered selecting the inner region. The size of the innerregion is increased when an input command is entered selecting the outerregion. The input commands are entered using a cursor control device andthe inner and outer regions are selected by positioning a cursor withinan appropriate region and clicking the cursor control device. The methodfurther includes the step of displaying the portion of the originalimage within the image display window. The steps of displaying are allpreferably completed on a display of a computer system, wherein thecomputer system includes the display, a memory and an input device. Theinput device is preferably a mouse. The method further includes the stepof displaying a magnification factor within the inner region numericallyrepresenting the magnification of the original image being displayedwithin the image display window. The method further includes the step ofreceiving the original image from an image source. The original image isa still image or a frame within a video stream.

[0013] In still yet another aspect of the present invention, in acomputer system having a display, a memory and an input device, agraphical user interface for controlling magnification of and portion ofan original image displayed within an image display window includes anouter region representing the original image and an inner regionpositioned within the outer region, wherein a size of the inner regionrelative'to the outer region represents the magnification of theoriginal image being displayed within the image display window andfurther wherein a position of the inner region within the outer regionrepresents the portion of the original image being displayed within theimage display window. The graphical user interface further includes amagnification factor displayed within the inner region which numericallyrepresents the magnification of the original image being displayedwithin the image display window. The size and position of the innerregion relative to the outer region is changed in response to inputcommands from the input device. The size of the inner region isdecreased and the magnification factor is increased when an inputcommand is entered selecting the inner region and further wherein thesize of the inner is increased and the magnification factor is decreasedwhen an input command is entered selecting the outer region. The innerand outer regions are selected by positioning a cursor within anappropriate region and clicking the input device. The input device ispreferably a mouse. The computer system is further configured to receivethe original image from an image source. The original image is aselective one of a still image and a frame within a video stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a configurationincluding a host computer system and an external image source.

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the image display window and azoom control box of the present invention in a default or original statewith a magnification factor of 1×.

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the image display window and azoom control box of the present invention with a magnification factor of2× and positioned to display the top left-hand corner portion of theoriginal image.

[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the image display window and azoom control box of the present invention with a magnification factor of2× and positioned to display the bottom right-hand corner portion of theoriginal image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] A graphical user interface (GUI) graphically corresponds to animage display window through which a single image or a stream of imagesor video frames are displayed. The GUI and the image display window aredisplayed on a display device such as the display device 36 of thecomputer system 20, illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the GUI andthe image display window are displayed on and controlled by any one ormore appropriate devices. The GUI includes a zoom control box having aninner rectangle region positioned within an outer rectangle region.

[0019] A user controls aspects and changes parameters of the imagedisplayed within the image display window using a cursor control device,such as the keyboard 38 or mouse 40, of the computer system 20illustrated in FIG. 1 to enter input commands within the zoom controlbox by selecting appropriate regions of the zoom control box. The cursorcontrol device can be a mouse, keypad, trackball, remote control orother device, depending on the configuration of the host system.Further, the cursor control device can be wired or wireless using radio,infrared or any other appropriate technology.

[0020] The size of the inner rectangle region relative to the outerrectangle region represents the magnification of the portion of theimage being displayed within the image display window. A magnificationfactor representing the current magnification of the image beingdisplayed within the image display window from the original image isdisplayed within the inner rectangle region. The magnification of theimage being displayed is increased by using a cursor control device toposition a cursor within the inner rectangle region and clicking thecursor control device. As the magnification is thus increased, the sizeof the inner rectangle region is decreased appropriately relative to theouter rectangle region and the magnification factor is appropriatelyincremented. The magnification of the image being displayed is decreasedby using the cursor control device to position the cursor outside of theinner rectangle region but inside of the outer rectangle region andclicking the cursor control device. As the magnification is thusdecreased, the size of the inner rectangle region is increasedappropriately relative to the outer rectangle region and themagnification factor is appropriately decremented.

[0021] The position of the inner rectangle region within the outerrectangle region represents the portion of the entire original imagebeing displayed within the image display window. The portion of theimage being displayed within the image display window is changed byclicking and dragging the inner rectangle region to the desired positionwithin the outer rectangle region using the cursor control device. Asthe position of the inner rectangle region changes within the outerrectangle region, the portion of the image displayed within the imagedisplay window changes appropriately.

[0022] The display 36 including an image display window 110 and agraphical user interface including a zoom control box 100, according tothe present invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The zoom control box100 of the present invention preferably includes two rectangle regions102 and 106. The outer rectangle region 106 forms the outer edge of thezoom control box 100 and represents the entire available original image.The inner rectangle region 102, is included and positioned within theouter rectangle region 106 and represents a region of interest of theoriginal image currently being displayed within the image display window110. Within the inner rectangle region 102, a magnification factor 104is displayed, representing the current magnification being applied tothe image displayed within the image display window 110.

[0023] The magnification factor 104 is changed by using a cursor controldevice to select an appropriate region within the zoom control box 100.A user zooms in on a specific portion of the image to increase themagnification factor by using the cursor control device to position thecursor within the inner rectangle region 102 of the zoom control box 100and clicking the cursor control device. When the user positions thecursor within the inner rectangle region 102 of the zoom control box 100and clicks the cursor control device, the inner rectangle region 102becomes appropriately smaller in size and the magnification factor 104is incremented. By clicking the cursor control device when the cursor ispositioned within the inner rectangle region 102 a number of times, theinner rectangle region 102 becomes continually smaller in size and themagnification factor 104 is incremented a number of times equal to thenumber of times that the cursor control device is clicked.

[0024] A user zooms out on a specific portion of the image to decreasethe magnification factor by using the cursor control device to positionthe cursor within the outer rectangle region 106, but outside of theinner rectangle region 102, and clicking the cursor control device. Whenthe user positions the cursor within the outer rectangle region 106, butoutside of the inner rectangle region 102 and clicks the cursor controldevice, the inner rectangle region 102 becomes appropriately larger insize and the magnification factor 104 is decremented. By positioning thecursor outside of the inner rectangle region 102, but within the outerrectangle region 106, and clicking the cursor control device a number oftimes, the inner rectangle region 102 becomes increasingly larger witheach click and the magnification factor 104 is decremented a number oftimes equal to the number of times that the cursor control device isclicked, until the magnification factor is equal to 1.

[0025] The inner rectangle region 102 also has a pan or positionalfeature within the outer rectangle region 106, such that the position ofthe inner rectangle region 102 within the outer rectangle region 106represents the portion of the entire original image which is beingdisplayed within the image display window 110. The position of the innerrectangle region 102 is changed within the outer rectangle region 106 byusing the cursor control device to click and drag the inner rectangleregion 102 to the desired position within the outer rectangle region106. Accordingly, the inner rectangle region 102 graphically representswhat portion of the entire image is currently being displayed within theimage display window 110 and what magnification factor is currentlybeing used to make this selected portion of the original image fitwithin the image display window 110.

[0026] The default or original state of the zoom control box 100 isillustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the magnification factor 104 is equalto one (1) and the size and position of the inner rectangle region 102represents that the entire original image is being displayed within theimage display window 110. To increase the magnification at which theimage is being displayed, and zoom in on a smaller portion of theoriginal image, the user positions the cursor within the inner rectangleregion 102 and clicks the cursor control device, thereby increasing themagnification factor 104 and decreasing the size of the inner rectangle102.

[0027]FIG. 3 illustrates an example wherein the magnification factorwithin the zoom control box 100 has been increased to two (2), by usingthe cursor control device to position the cursor within the innerrectangle region 102 and clicking the cursor control device. Also withinthe example of FIG. 3, the inner rectangle region 102 has been movedinto the top left-hand corner of the outer rectangle region 106, byusing the cursor control device to click and drag the inner rectangleregion 102 into that position within the outer rectangle region 106. Asshown in FIG. 3, the top left-hand corner of the original imageillustrated in FIG. 2, has been increased by a factor of two (2) anddisplayed in the image display window 110.

[0028]FIG. 4 illustrates an example wherein the image displayed withinthe image display window 110 represents a magnified image from theoriginal image with a magnification factor of two (2). Within theexample of FIG. 4, the inner rectangle region 102 has been moved intothe lower right-hand corner of the outer rectangle region 106 using thecursor control device to click and drag the inner rectangle 102 intothat position within the outer rectangle region 106. As shown in FIG. 4,the lower right-hand corner of the original image illustrated in FIG. 2,has been increased by a factor of two (2) and displayed in the imagedisplay window 110.

[0029] To zoom in further on the original image, the user uses thecursor control device to position the cursor within the inner rectangleregion 102 and clicks, thereby increasing the magnification factor 104and decreasing the relative size of the inner rectangle region 102. Tozoom out to display more of the original image within the image displaywindow, the user uses the cursor control device to position the cursoroutside of the inner rectangle region 102, but inside of the outerrectangle region 106 and clicks the cursor control device, therebydecreasing the magnification factor 104 and increasing the relative sizeof the inner rectangle region 102 until the magnification factor 104 isequal to one (1).

[0030] In this manner, the zoom control box 100 of the present inventionprovides a graphical representation of the magnification andrepresentative portion of the original image being displayed within acorresponding image display window. It should be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the zoom control box of the present inventioncan be used to control the display of one or more still images, a seriesof one or more frames within a video stream or the display of one ormore graphics or text images. Using a cursor control device, the usercan increase or decrease the magnification of the displayed image byappropriately positioning a cursor relative to the inner and outerrectangle regions, as described above, and clicking the cursor controldevice. Also using the cursor control device, the user can change theportion of the original image being displayed within the image displaywindow 110 by changing the position of the inner rectangle region 102within the outer rectangle region 106. The size and position of theinner rectangle region 102 relative to the outer rectangle region 106graphically represents the magnification and representative portion ofthe original image being displayed within the image display window.

[0031] The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding ofprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made inthe embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that while the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention includes inner and outer rectangular regions within the zoomcontrol box, any appropriately shaped regions, including any graphics orbitmap defined shapes or areas, can be used to graphically represent theamount of magnification and portion of the original image beingdisplayed within the image display window.

1. A graphical user interface for controlling magnification of andportion of an original image displayed within an image display windowcomprising: a. an outer region representing the original image; and b.an inner region positioned within the outer region, wherein a size ofthe inner region relative to the outer region represents themagnification of the original image being displayed within the imagedisplay window.
 2. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 1wherein a position of the inner region within the outer regionrepresents the portion of the original image being displayed within theimage display window.
 3. The graphical user interface as claimed inclaim 2 wherein the size and position of the inner region relative tothe outer region is changed in response to input commands.
 4. Thegraphical user interface as claimed in claim 3 wherein the size of theinner region is decreased when an input command is entered selecting theinner region.
 5. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 4wherein the size of the inner region is increased when an input commandis entered selecting the outer region.
 6. The graphical user interfaceas claimed in claim 5 wherein the graphical user interface is displayedon a computer system having a display, a memory and an input device. 7.The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inputcommands are entered using the input device and the inner and outerregions are selected by positioning a cursor within an appropriateregion and clicking the input device.
 8. The graphical user interface asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the input device is a mouse.
 9. The graphicaluser interface as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a magnificationfactor displayed within the inner region which numerically representsthe magnification of the original image being displayed within the imagedisplay window.
 10. A graphical user interface for controllingmagnification of and portion of an original image displayed within animage display window comprising: a. an outer region representing theoriginal image; and b. an inner region positioned within the outerregion, wherein a position of the inner region within the outer regionrepresents the portion of the original image being displayed within theimage display window.
 11. The graphical user interface as claimed inclaim 10 wherein a size of the inner region relative to the outer regionrepresents the magnification of the original image being displayedwithin the image display window.
 12. The graphical user interface asclaimed in claim 11 further comprising a magnification factor displayedwithin the inner region which numerically represents the magnificationof the original image being displayed within the image display window.13. A method of controlling magnification of and portion of an originalimage displayed within an image display window comprising the steps of:a. displaying a zoom control box including an inner region positionedwithin an outer region, wherein a size of the inner region relative tothe outer region represents the magnification of the original imagebeing displayed within the image display window and further wherein aposition of the inner region within the outer region represents theportion of the original image being displayed within the image displaywindow; and b. changing the size and position of the inner region inresponse to input commands.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13wherein the size of the inner region is decreased when an input commandis entered selecting the inner region.
 15. The method as claimed inclaim 14 wherein the size of the inner region is increased when an inputcommand is entered selecting the outer region.
 16. The method as claimedin claim 15 wherein the input commands are entered using a cursorcontrol device and the inner and outer regions are selected bypositioning a cursor within an appropriate region and clicking thecursor control device.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 13 furthercomprising the step of displaying the portion of the original imagewithin the image display window.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 17wherein the steps of displaying are all completed on a display of acomputer system, wherein the computer system includes the display, amemory and an input device.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 18wherein the input device is a mouse.
 20. The method as claimed in claim13 further comprising the step of displaying a magnification factorwithin the inner region numerically representing the magnification ofthe original image being displayed within the image display window. 21.The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising the step ofreceiving the original image from an image source.
 22. The method asclaimed in claim 13 wherein the original image is a still image.
 23. Themethod as claimed in claim 13 wherein the original image is a framewithin a video stream.
 24. In a computer system having a display, amemory and an input device, a graphical user interface for controllingmagnification of and portion of an original image displayed within animage display window comprising: a. an outer region representing theoriginal image; and b. an inner region positioned within the outerregion, wherein a size of the inner region relative to the outer regionrepresents the magnification of the original image being displayedwithin the image display window and further wherein a position of theinner region within the outer region represents the portion of theoriginal image being displayed within the image display window.
 25. Thecomputer system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the graphical userinterface further comprises a magnification factor displayed within theinner region which numerically represents the magnification of theoriginal image being displayed within the image display window.
 26. Thecomputer system as claimed in claim 25 wherein the size and position ofthe inner region relative to the outer region is changed in response toinput commands from the input device.
 27. The computer system as claimedin claim 25 wherein the size of the inner region is decreased and themagnification factor is increased when an input command is enteredselecting the inner region and further wherein the size of the inner isincreased and the magnification factor is decreased when an inputcommand is entered selecting the outer region.
 28. The computer systemas claimed in claim 27 wherein the inner and outer regions are selectedby positioning a cursor within an appropriate region and clicking theinput device.
 29. The computer system as claimed in claim 28 wherein theinput device is a mouse.
 30. The computer system as claimed in claim 29wherein the computer system is further configured to receive theoriginal image from an image source.
 31. The computer system as claimedin claim 30 wherein the original image is a selective one of a stillimage and a frame within a video stream.